Chapter 667: Polarization

For today’s casual chat, let’s discuss something every author inevitably encounters: reputation!

As the plot and word count gradually expanded, my operations team repeatedly informed me that the reputation of "Xian Ren" on external platforms began to polarize. Those who liked it praised it to the heavens, while those who hated it wished to throw it on the ground and stomp on it.

However, this is actually a good thing. For the first four months after "Xian Ren" was released, negative reviews predominated, meaning the latter group was larger. But as the readership grew, the number of people who liked it also rapidly increased, finally reaching an even split.

Initially, Jiufang found this very strange. I hadn't encountered such issues with my previous three books. Reader feedback mostly revolved around finding the pace too slow while following along, or occasional plot controversies—all within the normal scope of discussion. But now, I'm hearing comments like my writing is terrible, my prose is too plain or unsophisticated, that I don't know how to write Xianxia, and even people getting so angry they wish they could grab my keyboard and show me how to write... Emmm, I guess we're just not on the same wavelength. Consequently, intense and peculiar arguments often erupt around this book.

To all the friends who like "Xian Ren" and actively recommend it to others, Jiufang thanks you. When something you like hasn't yet become mainstream, believing in your own unique insight truly requires courage. After all, most people just go with the flow. The aesthetic tastes of most people, whether readers or authors, can be guided, assimilated, and changed. In this era of converging tastes, wanting to believe you are not mistaken inherently means bearing pressure and criticism.

I am a highly adaptable author; I can tap into trending topics and follow popular currents. In this age of industrialization, what can't be mass-produced? Moreover, even for "wish-fulfillment" novels that have become incredibly competitive, writing them well isn't easy; true masters in this genre possess their own secret techniques and insights.

However, I believe in two things more:Good things must be able to stand the test of time.Good authors must grow alongside their works.

If you extract all the pleasing elements and arrange them modularly, that's a formula. If one only relies on formulas, writing more or less makes no difference; it's simply a permutation and combination of modules. Ultimately, all one gains is proficiency—and money.

Of course, many readers aren't averse to this approach, or if they claim to be, their actions are honest because they've developed a path dependency. They can't get used to novel or unique things and eventually return to the old ways. It might seem like a win-win situation: readers pass the time, and authors earn money.

However, this goes against my original intention. My purpose in coming to Qidian was to prove myself, to seek novelty and change. If I merely stayed comfortable and "lay flat" in my comfort zone, how could I ever break through my writing ceiling?

I've written four books, each with a different theme and style, because my state of mind varied during their creation. "Xian Ren" represents the greatest leap among them. Within the book, it's the protagonist's journey of growth, slaying demons and vanquishing evil. Outside the book, it's the author's challenging and arduous path of self-discovery. Both of us emphasize facing challenges head-on and making bold progress :)

The difference is that as the author, I am the "Heavenly Dao" of this book; we all know that Young Master He's efforts will ultimately yield good results. But I live in reality, and the "Heavenly Dao" doesn't tell me if my direction is correct or if my efforts will lead to success. In reality, effort and success are not directly correlated one-to-one, much less a cause-and-effect relationship.

This is also a choice every author faces:A certain reputation, or an uncertain future?

My choice is the latter.

It's 2023, and the trends this year are "lying flat," "rotting away," and "playing it safe." These attitudes have permeated online literature, even becoming a trend. But if authors aren't willing to take risks and grow with their protagonists, how can their books be truly captivating? As for whether it's well-written and if it will eventually be accepted by the majority—

Let time decide.

So, looking back at the earlier question, why is "Xian Ren's" reputation so polarized? It seems understandable now, doesn't it?

May 12, 2023 — Jiufang Ye